Jo Boulter, formerly Kenning
Age: 53
When were you at Princethorpe - years from and to?
I was in the Sixth Form at Princethorpe from 1978 - 1980.
Bit of background, where you live, what you do for a living
I live in Malham, near Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales with my husband Iain and two teenage children, Emily, aged 16 and George, aged 14.
We moved here from Warwickshire nine years ago and I still haven’t got used to the weather! I work for a charity, the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, as both Company Secretary and Rural Trainees co-ordinator, running a project which helps young people in rural areas find apprenticeships in the environmental sector.
It’s a great job working with fantastic people, and for a small charity we run a huge range of projects. My daily commute takes me over gorgeous countryside with views of Pendle, two of the Yorkshire three Peaks and the Lake District fells, and all that ever holds me up are the Highland cattle in the road.
What was the school like in your day?
It sounds as though the school has changed a lot. In my day it was a boys only boarding school, with only a minority of day pupils (of which I was one).
Many or most of the staff were priests or nuns, with Father Clarkson as Head. We were told that the Sixth Form was going co-educational, and that ‘several’ girls had shown an interest, however when it came to the first day of term I was the only one… I don’t believe I was actually the first, as I think there was another lone girl two years or so earlier, but I’m not sure how long she stayed.
How did Princethorpe affect the person you are today?
I can’t pretend it was an altogether great experience; I was a shy 16-year old, lacking in self-confidence, propelled into a world of teenage boys who can be incredibly cruel and insensitive, however overall I think it did me good. I developed a thicker skin. In particular I’m not sure I could have coped with my own teenage son without that experience! I did meet my first husband there, which obviously changed my life somewhat!
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Lighten up, care less about what people say or think of you, work harder!
Who or what has been the greatest influence on your life?
My dad. He came from an entirely different generation, having been born in 1908 (he was obviously a lot older than my mother) yet retained a really flexible and young attitude to life, accepted everyone for who or what they were, was interested in everyone and stayed calm at all times, even with two teenage daughters in the house!
What keeps you awake at night?
Worrying about the effects of technology on my children.
What has been your proudest moment/greatest achievement so far?
Having two children who are starting to be reasonable human beings.
What’s your biggest indulgence?
Ski holidays. And whisky!
If you had to have one last meal, what would it be?
Anything vegetarian that wasn’t smothered in cheese or too hot and spicy. The Yorkshire Dales are beautiful, but possibly the least vegetarian friendly place in England, so I’ve forgotten what its like to have a choice! Italian/Mediterranean food for preference.
What is your favourite TV Show and why?
Anything escapist with a great plot and slightly ridiculous, preferably crime!. I particularly enjoy Sherlock, Death in Paradise and Dr Who – the only three shows that are guaranteed to get our whole family sitting down together to watch.
If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be and who would be with you?
On the ski slopes in the French Alps – preferably alone but better say with my family in case they read this! Or maybe in a little beachside café somewhere beautiful and unspoiled – and warm.
Lasting memories of Princethorpe:
A great school production of Joseph (for which I refused – very wisely I think – to play the part of Potiphar’s wife!). Father O’Brien telling us we had to stay ‘3 feet apart’ at the school dances. Mr Rex teaching history and being wound up unmercifully by most boys, but seemingly unaware of it. Lazing under the trees pretending to study. Sister Alban, I believe it was, declaiming Chaucer’s Prologue in an ‘authentic’ Olde English accent – I still remember ‘Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote, hath perced the droughte of March to its roote’, and later inviting us to coffee and offering us a little whisky in it to celebrate something or other.
Are you in touch with any other Old Princethorpians, if so whom?
None apart from Peter Rollason, my former brother-in-law, who remains a good friend although I don’t see him or his family nearly often enough.
Is there anyone you would like to track down?
I have an appalling memory and can remember very few names from my time at Princethorpe – I sometimes wonder whether I’ve blocked the memories! Being the only girl it was quite difficult to make friends as anyone who did talk to me got ribbed for it, but there were a few brave souls! Julian, who’s surname I’ve forgotten, and a guy who lived in Burnthurst Lane – Tim? Wish I could remember! I do remember going to see Saturday Night Fever at the pictures in Leamington (when it was still the Regal) with a few of the day boys quite early on, with hindsight it was very nice of them to ask me along. It might be interesting to compare memories – maybe.
